Game Rules
BeziqueVictorian Melding Classic

Victorian two-player game played with two decks. Melds like Bezique itself score the most points.

Players2
Duration25 – 40 Min
Deck64 Cards · 2 Decks
DifficultyChallenging
I · Game Concept

The melding combination
that gives the game its name

I

Bezique is played with two combined 32-card decks (64 cards total). The namesake combination – Jack of Diamonds + Queen of Spades – alone scores 40 points.

Players take turns drawing, playing tricks, and melding combinations from their hand. The player with the most total points at the end wins.

II · Setup

Before the
game begins

II
1
Shuffle two decks
Combine two complete 32-card decks and shuffle well.
2
Deal cards
8 cards per player. Remaining cards form the stock.
3
Reveal trump
The top card of the stock is revealed – its suit is trump.
Before starting

Since there are two decks in play, every card appears twice – this opens up special melding possibilities such as the Double Bezique.

III · Card Values
What melds
are worth
III
B
Bezique
40 Points
Jack of Diamonds + Queen of Spades: the namesake standard meld.
DB
Double Bezique
500 Points
Both Bezique pairs (possible due to the double deck): an exceptionally high bonus.
M
Marriage
20/40 Points
King + Queen of the same suit: 20 points, in trump 40 points.
S
Sequence
250 Points
Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10 in trump: highest regular meld.
IV · Gameplay

Turn by
Turn

IV
1
Play a card
First player lays a card. As long as the stock is open: no obligation to follow suit.
2
Win the trick
Higher card or trump wins the trick.
3
Meld
After winning a trick: declare and show a combination from your hand.
4
Draw cards
After each trick: draw from the stock until it is exhausted.
5
Count points
Melding points plus trick points (from face cards and aces at the end) are added. The player with the most total points at the end wins the game.
V · Variants
Variants
V

Bezique evolved into many related games.

R
Rubicon Bezique
Extended tournament form with additional end bonus points.
4D
Four-Deck Bezique
With four decks for even more complex melding possibilities.
P
Pinochle
American offshoot with its own simplified rules.
3
Three Players
Variant for three players with an adapted double deck.
VI · Tips & Tricks

What really
matters

VI
Strategy Tips
+

Keep Jack of Diamonds and Queen of Spades together as long as possible – the Bezique meld is one of the most valuable in the game.

+

Since every card is duplicated in the deck, plan specifically for a Double Bezique if you have both pairs in hand – 500 points is enormous.

+

Declare your best available combination after every trick won – melds expire if you forget to announce them.

+

Keep a close eye on the stock status – as soon as it's depleted, the stricter follow-suit phase of the game begins.

Common Mistakes
–

Playing the Bezique cards individually too early instead of keeping them together for the valuable combination.

–

Forgetting to announce a meld even though the suitable combination was already in hand.

–

Overlooking the Double Bezique potential because you're not considering the double number of cards in play.

–

Continuing to play freely after the stock is depleted, instead of observing the new, stricter follow-suit rule.

Berlin Hold'em · Matching Decks
Get the right deck

Bezique needs two decks – our double packs provide exactly that for the full experience.

View all designs →
20s Playing Cards – Double Pack For larger groups and long game nights. To the product Viking Playing Cards – Double Pack Two decks, suitable for 5+ players. To the product
← Back to Game Overview Berlin Hold'em